I just picked my daughter up from school - I normally stand across the road and wait for my daughter to come out before I cross over but today it was raining so I sheltered under a tree in the playground and overhead a conversation that has left me feeling like a very bad mum indeed

I seems everyone has private tutors in preparation for the 11+. I went to Altrincham Grammar and I'm sure no one had tutors then - lol I'm so out of touch! I'd love for my daughter to go there and know she is more than capable but it now looks like the competition is a little tougher than it used to be!! I don't really know any of the mums at the school gates, I'm quite shy and tend to stand back from the crowd so I don't know who to ask.

I wonder if anyone here would be able to recommend someone in the Altrincham area? My daughter is in Year 4.

I'm new to this forum and I'm not sure if posting names is allowed so please send me a PM if that is ok?

3 points
1 your daughter is in year 4 so there is plenty of time
2 Plenty of people home tutor kids and there is lots of info on this website
3 there is nothing like a playground convesation to wind you up!

Also, be direct and ask the primary school teachers and head what preparation they do. They may say none, but quietly teach the kids the styles of vr and nvr questions. This is what happened with my child. I know this because when we did some exam preparation at home, she explained the questions to me.

As for finding tutor, ask around, even your childs teacher but also do internet searches. There are plenty around Trafford.

And go to any book store and pick up the correct style of questions from them. Alti Girls will sell you a pack of sample questions to practise so call the office direct. Look at their website for the contact number for admissions.

Finally believe in your child, encourage but be honest about the different schools around.

Thankyou everyone for your advice. It sounds like we are a little too early to start with the 11+ tuition just yet but in the meantime we are looking at finding someone who can help build her confidence and go over again some of the things she finds difficult (mainly maths). I spoke to one of the mums this morning and she gave me the name of someone who has done wonders with daughter and has really helped her to understand things that the teacher is failing to/doesn't have time to go over. We are going to see them on Saturday.

The plan is then to move on to the entrance exam/11+ tuition when she is ready later on this year - thanks anxious loreto mum for your recommendation.

I won't rush it and I don't want to scare her just yet so will leave test papers out for a while but we sat together last night and looked at a couple of VR questions I found online and she did better than me (not difficult ) I think with a little help on her maths we will get there.

My DS did not go to a tutor. I bought some papers to familarise him with the type of questions and completing them in the time limit (near the time of the exam).
What I did discover was if I had trouble explaining/understanding any questions someone had also posted the same/similiar question on the relevant forum. Hence many people/tutors on this websites are extremley helpful.

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